Process and device for regulating the temperature of a fluid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for regulating the temperature of a fluid circuit comprising a thermostatic valve, which consists in maintaining a leak rate through the valve once the valve has been opened a first time in order to eliminate the temperature fluctuations of the fluid around a regulation temperature. Two thermodilatable elements with different expansion temperature thresholds are used. The invention further relates to a thermostatic valve intended to regulate the temperature of a fluid around at least one value and comprising at least a first thermodilatable element. The valve further includes a second thermodilatable element for maintaining a controlled leak rate as soon as the valve has been opened (a first time).

I claim: 
     
       1. A thermostatic valve for regulating and reducing fluctuations of the temperature of a fluid around a regulation temperatures comprising: a housing;   a flap;   a seat for the flap;   a first thermodilatable element provided in said housing at a location always in contact with the fluid and operably connected to the flap for opening the valve by driving the flap away from the seat when the temperature of the fluid exceeds a threshold temperature; and   a second thermodilatable element provided in said housing downstream of the flap at a location in contact with the fluid only when the valve is open, said second thermodilatable element being operably connected to the flap for maintaining a controlled leak rate only after the valve has been opened a first time by the first thermodilatable element.   
     
     
       2. A thermostatic valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second thermodilatable element has a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature of the first thermodilatable element. 
     
     
       3. A thermostatic valve as in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second thermodilatable elements comprises a capsule containing a wax that is continuously dilatable within a temperature range. 
     
     
       4. A thermostatic valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second thermodilatable element has a threshold temperature lower than the threshold temperature of the first thermodilatable element.